A joint crisis plan negotiated with mental health staff significantly reduces compulsory admission and treatment in people with severe mental illness.

Intervention: Joint crisis plan: contained information on contact details, history of mental and physical illnesses, previous antidepressants and psychotherapies, signs predicting relapse, and instructions for care if a future relapse occurs. The plans were developed by negotiation and agreement between mental health staff and the person with severe mental illness. A carer, friend, or advocate was encouraged to help finalise the plan. Control: received information leaflets on mental illness and treatment, and local mental health services.